Tunnel will be free for Soller residents

The Soller tunnel will be free to residents of the municipalities of Soller and Fornalutx “before the end of this year or early 2003 at the latest,” according to public works minister Francesc Quetglas. He said that the Council of Majorca now had responsibility for the roads, but the Balearic government had acquired a commitment to provide toll-free passage for Soller and Fornalutx residents “and we will stick to it.” He added that considerable funds would be needed to compensate the company which has the concession for the tunnel and the government is now studying the sums which have to be included in the budget. Negotiations with the management have reached an advanced stage, Quetglas said. At the moment, residents with right to a discount have to pay 0.95 euros for cars, 0.35 euros for motorbikes and 1.45 euros for lorries and coaches.